Rules of Play

The Rules of the United States Golf Association govern play. See applicable Notice to Competitors for additional Local Rules and Conditions. Complete text Rules and Appendix I (One) may be found in the current 'Rules of Golf'.

Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is: Stroke Play - Two Strokes

Local RulesGolf Course Tee Markers - color may vary from course to courseBoys Gold Division will play from the 'Blue' teesBoys Silver Division will play from the 'White' teesBoys Bronze Division will play from the 'Red' tees

Girls Gold Division will play from the 'White' teesGirls Silver Division will play from the 'Red' tees

Boys Futures Division will play from the 'Red' tees

Girls Futures Division will play from the 'Red' tees

Out of BoundsDefined by inside points, at ground level, of white stakes and property fence posts or designated white lines. Rule 27-1

Water and Lateral Water Hazards Stakes and LinesWhen a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity. When a water hazard or lateral water hazard is bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.

Ground Under RepairDefined by white lines. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Rule 25-1

Sod SeamsThe Local Rule for Seams of Cut Turf as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. Pg. 145

White-Lined Areas Tying Into Artificially-Surfaced Road and PathsHave the same status as the roads and paths, that of obstructions.

Wood Chips and MulchAre loose impediments, unless other wise provided for in 'Notice to Competitors'.

Embedded Ball Through the GreenLocal Rule as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. Pg. 143

Integral Parts of the CourseIncludes cables, rods, wires or wrappings when closely attached to trees; liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise provided for in 'Notice to Competitors'.

Temporary Immovable ObstructionsLocal Rule as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. Pg. 147

Stones in Bunkers

Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies)

Accidental Movement of a Ball on a putting Green

Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:

When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.

The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.

This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”

CONDITIONSList of Conforming Driver HeadsOptional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. Pg. 154

List of Conforming Golf BallsOptional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. Pg. 155

Distance Measuring DevicesFor all play in LCJGT events, a player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device ONLY. Any multi-use device, such as a cell phone, may not be used by a LCJGT player for this purpose. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect their play (e.g. elevation change, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of rule 14-3. Range finders that have a slope feature that can be turned off are acceptable, but must always be used in the "tournament mode."

Discontinuance of PlayOptional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has delared them open. Players who practice on closed practice areas will be asked to cease doing so; failure to comply may result in disciplinary action. Pg. 158Note: A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged air horn note. All other types of suspension will be signaled by three consecutive notes, repeated. Resumption of play will be signaled by two short air horn notes, repeated.

PracticePrior to and after his round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice areas. Rule 7-1b applies to other practice in stroke play.

TransportationOptional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. Pg. 159

CaddiesA player is prohibited from using a caddie during the stipulated round. Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I (One) is in effect. Pg. 157

FootwearSpikes (regardless of composition or design) comprised entirely or partially of metal (if such metal may come in contact with the course) are prohibited during the stipulated round.Penalty for Breach of Condition: Disqualification

How to Decide TiesIn the event of a tie for first place, there will be a hole by hole sudden death playoff starting at a hole determined by the Committee. Ties at other places will be determined by the USGA designated method of matching cards. Pg. 160

Close of CompetitionThe competition is deemed to have closed when the trophy has been presented to the winner of each division or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.

SCORINGA. All competitors will keep a legible scorecard with their fellow competitors score as well as their own score on it. (Penalty for not keeping a complete score card - disqualification).B. All golfers must witness all strokes taken by their fellow competitors.C. State your score as you hole out!D. End-of-the-round scoring verification - report immediately to the scorers table/score board in the pavilion to verify scores.E. Any time a rules infraction occurs, the player shall inform his fellow competitors immediately. Where uncertainty or disagreement exists, the situation shall be referred to the Tournament Director for an official ruling. If an official in not present, play a second ball and record both scores. Rule 3-3F. It is up to each competitor to protect the integrity of the field by playing by the LCJGT and USGA rules.

Par 3'sAllow group behind to hit up if they are on the tee and all players in your group are on the green and clear.

PACE OF PLAY POLICY

Rule 6-7 states, in part: “The Player shall play without undue delay and in the accordance with the pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the committee, “and thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play. In order to prevent such a penalty, we suggest that you review carefully the following guidelines.

Allotted Time

Groups are expected to play at no more than the allotted time published for the event. The allotted time is 4-hours and 30-minutes for the 18-hole round or 15 minutes per hole.

Definition of “Out of Position”

The first group to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group is behind their allotted time.

Any following group will be considered out of position if it (a) is taking more than the allotted time to play and (b) reaches the tee of a par 3 hole and the hole is clear, fails to clear the tee of a par 4 hole before the preceding group clears the putting green or arrives at the teeing ground of a par 5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be out of position.

Group Notification

Groups MAY BE NOTIFIED when they are out of position and given an opportunity to regain their position. If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes a group in question to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position in a reasonable time [within two holes]. If a group fails to regain their position, they will be notified and subject to being timed.

Timing

A group may be monitored or timed for compliance with this pace of play guideline if it is “out of position.” When a group is “out of position” a player in the group is expected to play any stroke within 40 seconds.

Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player’s stroke will begin when he has had a reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his turn to play and he can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt. Time spent looking at the line from beyond the hole and/or behind the ball will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

NOTE: The Committee reserves the right, at any time, to time a group when the Committee deems it necessary. Players should also be aware that the Committee may assess a “bad time” to a player in a group which is out of position if the player makes no effort to help his group get back in position. An example of this would be a player who unduly delays play between shots.

Pace of Play Penalties

The following are the penalties, in sequence, for any player in a group out of position who takes more than 40 seconds to play a stroke when it is his turn to play:

Stroke Play

One bad timing Warning

A second bad timing 1 penalty stroke

A third bad timing Additional 2 penalty strokes

A fourth bad timing Disqualification

NOTE: If the group in question regains its proper position, any previous timings of more than 40 seconds will be carried over for the remainder of that round in the event that group requires additional monitoring.